Catherine Hubbard had once designed business cards for an animal sanctuary. Now that land has been procured, the goal is for the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary to open in the near future. Through the sanctuary, children will be connected to Catherine and her spirit.
In June, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed a bill conveying a parcel of state-owned land to the foundation established in her name. The land is to be used for an animal sanctuary in memory of Catherine, one of victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy. The State Properties Review Board, the Connecticut Dept. of Agriculture and the town of Newtown are all working together transfer the property to the foundation. As soon as the transfer is complete, Catherine's parents, Jenny and Matt Hubbard, are anxious to start a new chapter - the building of the sanctuary - hopefully within the next few months. The Hubbards are very grateful to the state and to Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra for all their help. "They were a tremendous support to us," Jenny said.
The property consists of 34 acres and is located on Old Farm Road, behind Reed Intermediate School and the 2nd Company Governor's Horse Guard. The land is a mixture of woodlands and meadows and a barn exists on the property. The land and barn were once part of the Fairfield Hills Hospital campus. The residents of the hospital tended to the land and animals, as the hospital was self-sustaining. The goal is to have farm animals on the property again. The existing footprints of the land will be utilized and the integrity of this pristine property will be kept intact.
Jenny Hubbard said that she is amazed by all the fundraisers that people have been holding for the foundation. A recent "Umbrellas of Hope" adoption event in California raised $1,000. A Reed Intermediate School student donated $58 from the sale of gingerbread cookies at a Renaissance Fair held at the school. People have also donated in honor of loved ones. She noted that donations come in all forms-- money, services, volunteering and even sharing the foundation's Facebook page.
The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation hosts its own fundraisers as well. In May, there was a butterfly party in New York. This family event will be celebrated annually on or around Catherine's birthday. There will also be a golf tournament held at the end of July, and a gala fundraiser in the fall.
The Hubbards are well on their way to honoring their daughter's dream. For more information about the sanctuary or the foundation, visit www.cvhfoundation.org.